News:
February 11, 2021
As the West African sub-region makes efforts to secure vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghana’s Minister-designate for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botwe has said efforts by ECOWAS would help secure the vaccine either first or second quarter of this year.
According to her, she does not have power to put time frame as to how fast the vaccine can be secured for the West African sub-region.
She made this remarks on Thursday, February 11, 2021 when she appeared before Ghana’s Appointment Committee and was asked a question by the Minority Leader as to how fast the sub-region can procure the new found vaccine to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
.Again, Ghana’s Ministry of Health is putting in efforts to procure two hundred and forty million vaccines. And further noted that if countries with funds cannot find the vaccine to buy then the diplomatic channel of engagement can be explored and she is aware Ghana has already made efforts with countries manufacturing the vaccine and has to engage at the Foreign Ministers level to ensure that Ghana also get access to the vaccines.
“I know for a fact that the president at his level is also engaging to ensure that we get the vaccine and I can assure the Committee that it would not be long before we get it, like others have been able to secure some amount, we would do that but it would not be enough to cover everybody”.
Also, she further explained that when Ghana secures the vaccine it would be given in phases; the frontline workers first.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com